Six Flags theme park could close after 50 years

An iconic US theme park could potentially be closing its gates for good. Six Flags California’s Great America has enjoyed almost 50 years of rollercoasters and family fun, but its legacy could soon come to an end. The news comes after the park's chief financial officer, Brian Witherow, confirmed the possibility during the company’s Investor Day 2025 last month (Picture: Getty Images)

Witherow reportedly stated: 'Unless we decide to extend, and exercise one of our options to extend that lease, that park’s last year without that extension would be after the ‘27 season.' The park's current lease expires on June 30, 2028. There is an option to extend to 2033, which would secure another five years, but nothing has been confirmed (Picture: Getty Images)

The financial officer then noted that the California park, plus the Six Flags America in Maryland, which is set to close after the 2025 season, are the two parks that are 'very low on the ranking of margins.' In terms of California’s Great America, this would mean that the park could close for good after the Halloween season in October 2027. Should this happen, it would cease trading after 51 years, having first opened in 1976 under the Marriott Corporation as Marriott’s Great America (Picture: Getty Images)

What would happen to the theme park?

The theme park's parent company, Cedar Fair, merged with Six Flags in an $8 billion deal back in 2024. Two years prior, Cedar Fair had sold the park's 112 acres of land for $310 million to Prologis, a real estate and supply chain logistics company. Six Flags then agreed to lease back the land from Prologis for six to 11 years, revealing that they would close the park following the lease's end, People reports. This is the June 2028 date (Picture: Getty Images)

What will happen to the theme park?

Richard A. Zimmerman, the then-Cedar Fair president and CEO, revealed the reasoning for the park selecting Prologis as their partner in a press release in June 2022. The statement read: 'We chose Prologis as our partner because of their deep ties in the Bay Area and their reputation for working closely with local communities on large developments' (Picture: Getty Images)

As for Prologis' plans for the land, the company has given outsiders a rough idea of its future. Prologis spokesperson, Jennifer Nelson, told the Los Angeles Times in January: 'We’re focused on identifying and partnering with planning and design experts to help us create a master plan for the property' (Picture: Getty Images)

However, there is better news for the park's Midwestern counterpart - Six Flags Great America, just outside Chicago. Set to celebrate its 50th season next year, the park is set for new additions. Last year, the Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (SFEC), which encompasses Great America alongside 42 other amusement and water parks across North America, announced plans to invest more than $1 billion over the next two years to enhance guest experience throughout its parks. The company revealed the investments - which over 2025 and 2026 will equate to $500 million and $525 million respectively - will include new rides, attractions, themed areas, dining upgrades and technology enhancements (Picture: Getty Images)

What new enhancements will be made to the Chicago park?

These upgrades will include the Six Flags Great America in north suburban Gurnee, which is located within the Chicago metropolitan area. During the 50th birthday celebrations, SFEC said customers can expect a new kids’ area, commemorative events and park enhancements (Picture: Getty Images)